Humanitarians raising powdered milk for Syrian children

Published: Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 05:56 PM.

PANAMA CITY — A group of local humanitarians is asking the community to donate powdered baby formula to malnourished children of a nation that’s in civil unrest.

Syrian-American Muna Beck, 21, is one of several locals who are attempting to put a dent in a rising number of casualties resulting from the civil war in Syria.

With the backing of nonprofit organization Syrian American Medical Society and Watan, an international Syrian organization that promotes civility in Syria, Beck said Panama City will be the primary launching pad of a campaign that would “be able to feed the children and make them strong enough to fight back.”

The group is accepting any kind of powdered baby formula as well as regular powdered milk (also called dried milk). The milk has a long shelf life, does not need to be kept cool and provides essential nutrition.

“There are needs that need to be met and in any way possible, we are trying to help them,” she said.

PANAMA CITY — A group of local humanitarians is asking the community to donate powdered baby formula to malnourished children of a nation that’s in civil unrest.

Syrian-American Muna Beck, 21, is one of several locals who are attempting to put a dent in a rising number of casualties resulting from the civil war in Syria.

With the backing of nonprofit organization Syrian American Medical Society and Watan, an international Syrian organization that promotes civility in Syria, Beck said Panama City will be the primary launching pad of a campaign that would “be able to feed the children and make them strong enough to fight back.”

The group is accepting any kind of powdered baby formula as well as regular powdered milk (also called dried milk). The milk has a long shelf life, does not need to be kept cool and provides essential nutrition.

“There are needs that need to be met and in any way possible, we are trying to help them,” she said.

While on five medical aid trips to Syria, Dr. Yahia Rahim, local pediatric hematologist oncologist, said he observed the need for the baby milk.

“No electricity makes it harder to treat someone who needs medicine. You don’t have the medicine, you don’t have electricity. So our mission is major,” Rahim said.

He told a story of three ladies who had a Caesarean operation under candlelight, in freezing temperatures and without anesthesia.

“Of course the babies were born fine because they were warmed by the mom’s belly, but when they came out (without heat) all of them died within one hour — three children.

“It’s a major medical disaster over there and on every aspect,” he added, listing diesel for fuel to run a hospital and baby formula to prevent dehydration and malnutrition as the greatest needs.

Rahim became instrumental in organizing the group for the powdered milk campaign and his office, located at 200 W. 19th St., is one of a growing list of drop-off locations.

Other locations include Gulf Coast State College, Arnold High School and Rising Leaders Academy.

Rahim will go on another medical aid trip to Syria next week, to several cities, including Aleppo — a major point of conflict.

Based on previous trips, he estimates he will see about 80 patients per day of the month-long trip. He said the war has caused many physicians to relocate, leaving lots of children without pediatric care.

Beck stressed that the drive is nonpolitical and nonreligious.

“It’s not a religious event. It’s not a cultural event. It’s humanitarian aid,” she said. “That’s really the key focus … To be able to help them with that simple thing, regardless of the bombing and the bullets flying.”

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